Heating switch



011.14, 1930. w. M. HOLLINGER HEATING SWITCH Filed Nov 20, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 14, 1930. w. M. HOLLINGER HEATING SWITCH Filed Nov. 20, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 h as 4n-----\-\\\\----------------Mm \Kb 5 Ln venior ZMLZEZZZ/yer Attorney \M l q a 2; Q i i 7 \w Oct. 14, 1930. w. M. HOLLINGER 1,778,637

HEATING SWITCH Filed Nov. 20, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1n venior Attorney Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT v@FE'HQE WILLIAM M. HoLLINGER, F HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO LLOYD M. BASEHOAR, 0F HAMPIDEN TOVJNSI-IIP. PENNSYLVANIA HEATING swrrcn Application filed November 20, 1929. Serial No. 408,519.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in heaters, and more particularly to a heater for railroad switches.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a switch heating apparatus which in operation will automatically discharge heat adjacent the open switch point of a pair without any discharge of heat adjacent the closed switch point of the pair whereby snow and the like will be prevented from accumulating between the open switch point and the track rail with which the same is associated.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a switch heating apparatus of the character aforesaid in which the discharge of heat is controlled from the usual operating means for the switch points.

During the course of the following s ecification and claims, other important 0. jects and advantages of the invention will readily become apparent to the reader.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary top plan view of the switch with the heating means associated therewith.

Figure 2 represents a side elevational view of the nozzles and the connections between the same. T

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary cross sectional View of a track rail and one of the nozzles.

Figure 4 represents a fragmentary top plan View of one of the nozzles.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the pipes connecting the usual nozzles with the conduits. I V

Figure 6 represents an elevational and sectional view disclosing the blower and preheater. a

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the twoway valve.

Figure 8 represents a diagrammaticview disclosing the electrical connections between the electrical devices involved in this invention.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen by referring to Figure 1, that numerals 5---5 represent the main track rails, whereas numerals 6 and 7 are the switch points. i

As is clearly shown in Figure 'l, a motor 8 is provided for driving the blower, which. is generally referred to by numeral 9. This blower comprises a housing 10 and a fan 11 carried by the motor driven shaft 12. The air inlet openings denoted by numeral 13.

Located adjacent the blower 9 is the elec' trical preheater, which is generally referred to by numeral 14. This preheater comprises a vertically disposed casing 15 communicating with the blower 9 by the pipe section 16. Protuberances 17 on the inner side of the easing 15 are provided with openings for receiving the heating coils 18 in such a man ner that the coil will form an upwardly disposed spiral through which air from the blower may pass.

Air passing from the preheater lt will enter the pipe 19 and valve generally referred to by numeral 20. This valve comprises a hollow body 21 having a pair of out let pipes 22 and 23 connected thereto. The pivotal valve member 24 is adapted to alternately close and open the said pipes 22 and 23.

The pipe 23 connects to the conduit 25 located adjacent one of the rails 5, while the pipe 22 communicates withthe conduit 26 located adjacent the other main rail 5. Each of these conduits has a plurality of branch pipes 27 projecting laterally therefrom and in the direction of its corresponding main rail 5. Each of these branch pipes 27'terininates adjacent the corresponding rail and is threaded as at 28 for engagement in the internally threaded nipple 29 of a nozzle 30 for delivering heated air, which nozzle has a long, yet narrow outlet mouth 31, and this mouth is located at the inner side of its corresponding rail as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Each of the branch pipes 2'7 is provided with a pair of spaced openings in which dielectric bushings 32 are placed. Through these bushings are disposed the conductor pins 33 and between the conductor pins 33 is interposed a heating element 34 for supplementing the heating of the air blast.

In order to shut ed the air from the conduit adjacent one of the rails when the switch point is in contact therewith, a switch is employed for operating the valve and controlling the electrical circuit. In Figure 1, it can be seen that a rod 35 is carried by a briclgebar 36 and extends laterally for connection to the link 37. This link 37 is in turn connected to the lever 38 which operates the valve element 24. W hen the switch points are in the position shown in Figure 1, the valve is opened through the pipe 22 so that heated air is delivered to the switch point 7.

As is clearly shown in Figure 1, a projection 39 on the rod 35 is engageable with either the movable element 120 or movable element $1 of the switches generally referred to by numerals 42 and 43 respectively, in Figure 8. It can thus be seen that when the valve is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 7, air is being delivered through the pipe 22, to the air nozzle adjacent the switch point 7 and by the engagement of the projection 39 with the movable element 40 ot the switch 42, only the heating elements 34 in the branch pipes 27 of the conduit are energized.

It can thus be seen that the switch is always maintained clear of ice and snow dur ing inclement weather and while the foregoing description has been specific, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising a motor, a blower operated by the motor, a preheater through which the air )asses from the blower, a two-way valve, said two-way valve being in an outlet pipe from the preheater, a pair of conduits, one adjacent each trackrail, an outlet from the valve to one of the conduits, an outlet from the valve to the other conduit, said valve being provided with a valve element for closing one of the said outlets and opening the other, and means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating the said valve.

2. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising a motor, a blower operated by the motor, a preheater through which the air passes from the blower, a two-way valve, said two-way valve being in an outlet pipe from the preheater, a pair of conduits, one adjacent each trackrail, an outlet from the valve to one of the conduits, an outlet from the valve to the other conduit, said valve being provided with a valve element for closing one of the said outlets and opening the other, means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating the said valve, each of said conduits being provided with a plurality of nozzles, said nozzles being located in close proximity to the corresponding rails, and electrical heating means associated with each nozzle.

3. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising a motor, a blower operated by the motor, a preheater through which the air passes from the blower, a two-way valve, said two-way valve being in an outlet pipe 1= cm the preheate a pair of conduits, one adjacent each trackrail. an outlet from the valve to one of the conduits, an outlet from the valve to the other conduit, said valve being provided with a valve element for closing one of the said outlets and opening the other, means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating the said valve, a plurality of nozzles located adjacent each trackrail, pipe connections between the said conduits and the said nozzles, and means within the said pipe connections for heating the air.

4. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising a motor, a blower operated by the motor, a preheater through which the air passes from the blower, a two-way valve, said two-way valve being in an outlet pipe from the preheater, a pair of conduits, one adjacent each trackrail, an outlet from the valve to one of the conduits, an outlet from the valve to the other conduit, said valve being provided with a valve element for closing one of the said outlets and opening the other, means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating the said valve, a plurality of nozzles located adjacent each trackrail, pipe connections between the said conduits and the said nozzles, means within the said pipe connections for heating the air, and automatic switch means for energizing the heating means in the connecting pipe adjacent one track rail while the heating means in the connecting pipe adjacent the other rail is (lo-energized.

5. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising, a valve chamber, means for dis charging heated fluid into the chamber, a pair of independent conduits, said valve chamber having an outlet into each conduit, a valve within the chamber, said valve being movable into positions to close said outlets selectively, and means responsive to the usual. switch point operating means for operating said valve.

6. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising, a valve chamber, means for di. charging heated air into the chamber, a pair of independent conduits, said valve chamber having an outlet into each conduit, a valve within the chamber, said valve being movable into positions to close said outlets selectively, and means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating said valve, each of said conduits having means for heating the air passing therethrough.

7. A railway switch heating apparatus comprising, a valve chamber, means for discharging heated air into the chamber, a pair of independent conduits, said valve chamber having an outlet into each conduit, a valve within the chamber, said valve being movable into positions to close said outlets selectively, means responsive to the usual switch point operating means for operating said valve, each of said conduits having electrical heating means for heating the air passing therethrough, and automatic switch means for energizing the heating means of one conduit while the heating means of the other conduit is de-energized.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM M. HOLLINGER. 

